Long-Term Safety of a Fully Implanted Endovascular Brain-Computer Interface for Severe Paralysis

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) have the potential to restore motor capability in patients with severe paralysis, by using cortical motor signals generated by attempted movement to bypass impaired limbs and directly control a computer. BCI implants have previously required craniotomy to deliver penetrating or surface electrodes to the brain. We have developed an alternative, minimally invasive endovascular technique to deliver recording electrodes through the jugular vein to the superior sagittal sinus, a large blood vessel at the top of the brain. Here we present complete safety and efficacy data from a first-in-human trial in Australia and initial data from an early feasibility study in the US. These data indicate that it is possible to record neural signals from a blood vessel, to enable people with paralysis to control a computer by thoughts. The favorable safety profile could promote wider and more rapid translation of BCI to people with paralysis.